Published: Singapore – Malaysia VTL eligibility and process

The Malaysian immigration authorities have revealed details of the requirements for those looking to travel on the upcoming Singapore – Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, which is initially restricted to air travel between Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from 29th November 2021.

While the process for Malaysia – Singapore quarantine-free travel is the one we are already used to when returning from most other VTL countries, the bilateral nature of this agreement means there are additional requirements imposed by Malaysia for travellers coming from Singapore.

In particular, travellers will have to take pre-departure and on-arrival tests in both directions, and travel on designated VTL flights to Malaysia as well as on the way back to Singapore, a first for the VTL scheme.

Singapore – Malaysia

Here are the eligibility and process details now published for Singapore – Malaysia travellers.

Singapore – Kuala Lumpur

Eligibility and Process

• All nationalities are accepted (visa may be required).
• No advance application is required, except if you require a Malaysian entry visa, based on nationality.
• You must have no travel history to any place other than Singapore or Malaysia in the last consecutive 14 days prior to departure to Malaysia. This sticking point applies even if you have been in other VTL countries – Malaysia does not recognise those under this scheme.
• You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any WHO approved vaccine, or one approved by a stringent regulatory authority, including different vaccine brands for respective doses. A digitally verifiable vaccination certificate is required.
• Children aged 12 or under based on date of birth are exempt from the vaccination requirement, when travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
• You must have a travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of RM100,000 (~S$32,500) for COVID-19 related medical costs (short-term visitors only, including business travellers).
• You must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within two days before departure from the Singapore. Children aged 2 or below in the calendar year are exempt. (e.g. departure on 10th December, test on 8th December 00:00 onwards).
• You must have a return ticket (short-term visitors only). Presumably, an onward ticket out of Malaysia is also acceptable, in case you want to head to another VTL country like the UK.
• You must travel on designated VTL flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (full list here).
• You must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at BP Clinical Health Lab KLIA (pre-immigration).
• Await the results in a designated waiting area (available within 1-3 hours).
• Clear immigration.
• Download the MySejahtera app and adhere to prevailing public health measures during your stay.
• You may transfer to the rest of peninsular Malaysia after arrival, including islands such as Penang and Langkawi.

Malaysia – Singapore

Here are the standard eligibility and process details also confirmed for the Malaysia – Singapore part of the journey, with no surprises in this direction:

Kuala Lumpur – Singapore

Eligibility and Process

• All nationalities are accepted (visa may be required).
• Have no travel history to any place other than Malaysia, Singapore, any Category 1 country or any VTL countries in the last consecutive 14 days prior to departure to Singapore.
• Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (any WHO approved vaccine) in Malaysia, Singapore or any VTL country, with the final dose completed at least 14 days prior to arrival in Singapore, including digitally certifiable evidence (QR code).
• Children aged 12 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt from the vaccination requirement, when travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
• Apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between 7 and 60 days before your intended date of entry into Singapore (visitors and LTP holders only).
• Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance with a coverage of at least S$30,000 (short-term visitors only).
• Have a negative COVID-19 PCR or ART test result from a recognised testing institution within two calendar days prior to departure (e.g. departure on 10th December, test on 8th December 00:00 onwards). Children 2 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt.
• Travel on designated VTL flights from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (full list here).
• Complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Singapore Changi Airport (children 2 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt).
• Download and activate the TraceTogether app (visitors only).
• Self-isolate at place of residence or suitable accommodation such as a hotel or serviced apartment until negative test result received (typically 4-6 hours).
• Attend a Day 3 and Day 7 supervised self-swab ART test, if still in Singapore on those days (Day 1 is your arrival day).

COVID-19 testing costs

Singapore residents travelling to Kuala Lumpur will require a pre-departure PCR test, taken within two days of the departure date from Singapore (e.g. departure on 10th December, test on 8th December 00:00 onwards), plus an on-arrival PCR test at KLIA.

This is in addition to four VTL tests on the journey back to Singapore (pre-departure ART/PCR + on-arrival PCR + Day 3 ART + Day 7 ART).

VTL Singapore Kuala Lumpur COVID-19 Testing  Test Cost Singapore pre-departure* S$107 – S$200 KLIA Arrival S$81 (MY nationals) S$114 (SG & other nationals) Malaysia pre-departure (ART)* ~S$30 – S$45 Singapore arrival S$125 Day 3 S$15 Day 7 S$15 Total S$373 – S$514 * Prices vary between providers and locations.

As you can see that means an approximate S$370 – S$520 per head testing cost, for a round-trip – so no such thing as “a cheap weekend in KL” for a while!

Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP)

Those travelling from Malaysia to Singapore on a VTL flight who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent residents will have to apply for a VTP 7-60 days prior to departure.

VTP applications for those arriving from Malaysia open on 22nd November 2021 at 10am Singapore Time (7 days prior to the first eligible arrivals).

VTL designated flights

VTL designated flights have now been confirmed by the following airlines:

Singapore – Kuala Lumpur VTL
Designated Flights

Airline	Frequency
	7 x weekly
	7 x weekly
	7 x weekly
	7 x weekly
	4 x weekly
	10 x weekly
All Airlines	42 x weekly

Important
VTL in both directions

The important thing to note is that this represents the first bilateral Vaccinated Travel Lane where you must take a designated VTL flight from Singapore as well as when returning to Singapore (or vice-versa for those starting their trip in KL), to enjoy quarantine-free arrival status as part of the scheme.

The schedule is as follows:

Singapore – Kuala Lumpur
VTL Flights

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	3K683 A320
SIN 07:00		KUL 08:10
	SQ106 A350-900
SIN 08:30		KUL 09:30
	OD804 737-800
SIN 12:20		KUL 13:20
	AK710 A320
SIN 13:30		KUL 14:40
	MH606 A330
SIN 14:40		KUL 15:40
	SQ122 A350-900
SIN 16:40		KUL 17:40
	TR472 787-9
SIN 17:30		KUL 18:30

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur – Singapore
VTL Flights

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	3K684 A320
KUL 08:50		SIN 10:00
	SQ105 A350-900
KUL 10:25		SIN 11:35
	OD803 737-800
KUL 10:30		SIN 11:30
	AK711 A320
KUL 11:45		SIN 13:00
	MH603 A330
KUL 12:30		SIN 13:30
	SQ121 A350-900
KUL 18:40		SIN 19:50
	TR473 787-9
KUL 19:30		SIN 20:35

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

As you can see there are options throughout the day including both full-service and low-cost carriers.

Additional services and other new entry and exit points in Malaysia and Singapore may be added “upon mutual agreement”, which means we may potentially see the likes of Penang and Langkawi join the scheme in due course, plus there’s hope for a possible resurrection of Firefly’s Seletar – Subang service.

(Cover Photo: James Kerwin)